Throwback Thursday | Sheboygan Grand Hotel

SHEBOYGAN - On the corner of North 8th Street and Center Avenue a hotel of some kind has been in residence since the 1890's, according to Sheboygan Press files provided by Beth Dippel of the Sheboygan County Historical Research Center.

In 1890, Mrs. Minna Ballschmider ran the Grand Hotel, a three-story brown brick building with Grand Hotel lettered in gold leaf at that location, until 1907 when it was purchased by R.I. Warner. Warner remodeled the hotel in 1917 which included a 43X46 two-story annex with a basement. Warner was to continue ownership until his death in May 1945.

In 1945, Ted and Walter Grasse purchased the hotel from Warner's estate. At time, there was a delay in the sale because two witnesses who were at the signing of the will lived out of the area and had to give depositions said a 1945 Press article. The Grasse's continued to remodel and make improvements to the property.

In 1963, the hotel was closed by the Grasse brothers. A Sheboygan Press article said that the building was slated to be demolished to make way for a million-dollar-plus downtown motel and convention center.

What arose out of the ashes of the original Grand Hotel was the building shape we know today. At one time it was known as the Executive Inn and later again as the Grand Hotel.

The hotel was owned in the 2000s by Chuck and Lipping Farrell who signed on with the Howard Johnson hotel chain at the time.

Unfortunately, that version of the hotel closed due to financial problems in December 2008 after former owners Chuck and Lipping Farrell spent two years and two-million dollars to renovate it, according to a Sheboygan Press article. A swimming pool was added, a conference room, an exercise facility as well as remodeled rooms, lobby and lounge.

The Farrells took out a $225,000 business development loaned with the city, but in 2010 they declared bankruptcy and the $212,565 balance they owed to the city was discharged, according to Asst. city attorney Chuck Adams said to the Press at the time.

In 2012, Alex Patel bought the hotel and affiliated the hotel with the Econo Lodge chain. In 2018, Patel, according to a Press article, planned to open a small convenience store which was to feature fresh produce and Indian food. Patel continues to operate the hotel to this day.

A restaurant was added to the structure in 2018 with the Umi Sushi and Steakhouse opening nearby, bringing a unique dining experience to downtown Sheboygan.